Currency Information

The Bulgarian national monetary unit is
the Lev (BGL), divided into 100 stotinki. On July 5th, 1999,
the Lev was re-denominated at a rate of 1,000 old Leva to
one new Lev. Banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 leva are
in common circulation. Coins are minted in values of 1, 2,
5, 10, 20 and 50 stotinki. At the present rate of exchange
(June 1st, 2003), 1 USD is approximately equal to 1.65 BGL.
Exchange facilities at daily rates are in operation at the
airport, at the exchange desks of different banks and in many
of the hotels. There is much additional information on this
page, including a currency converter
at the bottom of this page. If you have questions that remain
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Coins

Beginning September 2nd, 2002, the Bulgarian National Bank
issued a 1 Lev coin. It is believed the coin will gradually
phase out the 1 Lev banknote that is currently in circulation.
The new coin differs in that it is two-tone and the obverse
features an effigy of St. Ivan Rilski. The obverse of other
coins features the Madara Horseman - a VIII century bas-relief
hewn in the sheer face of a rock 25 meters above the ground
near the town of Shoumen - and the text "Bulgaria"
inscribed in circumference above it. The reverse value side
of the 1 Lev coin features the numeral "1", the
text "Lev", the year of issue - 2002 - and a graphical
pattern of two crossing lines, while the main design on the
reverse of the other coins features the figure of the denomination
and the year of issue - 1999. The text "stotinki"
is inscribed underneath, and the twelve five-pointed stars
- the symbol of the European Union - are inscribed in circumference
above it. All text is in Cyrillic.

Front of the 1 leva banknote features an
icon of St. John of Rila (876 - 946).

Back of the 1 leva banknote depicts the
principal church in the Rila Monastery

Front of the 2 leva banknote reveals a
portrait of Paisii Hilendarski (1722 - 1773), a famous
figure of Bulgarian national Revival.

Back of the 2 leva banknote features shields
belonging to Bulgarian tsars, and a facsimile of the "Istoria
Slavyanobolgarska" (“Slavonic-Bulgarian History”
– a book calling on Bulgarian people to remember
their past and former greatness, written by Paisii Hilendarski,
a Bulgarian monk of the Hilendar Monastery on Mt Athos,
in 1762)

The front of the 5 leva banknote depicts
Ivan Milev (1897-1927), a prominent Bulgarian painter
from the beginning of the 20th century and one of the
first followers of art noveau in Bulgaria.

The reverse of the 5 leva banknote represents
elements of paintings by this artist.

The front of the 10 leva banknote depicts
Dr. Petar Beron (1799-1871), a distinguished Bulgarian
scientist and teacher. In 1824 he wrote the first Bulgarian
textbook, popularly called "the Fish Textbook",
which paved the road for a modern system of education
in Bulgaria.

The reverse of the 10 leva banknote features
sketches from Petar Beron’s textbook and his personal
telescope, along with a representation of the Moon's phases.

The front of the 20 leva banknote displays
the portrait one of the greatest and certainly the most
controversial Bulgarian statesman of all times - Stefan
Stambolov (1854-1895). Stambolov is credited with bringing
stability and prosperity to the newly re-established (in
1878) post-liberation state of Bulgaria, but is also blamed
for introducing certain dictatorial methods during his
rule. Stambolov was assassinated by his political opponents
in 1895.

The reverse of the 20 leva banknote features
the building of the National Assembly, and fragments of
Eagles’ Bridge, and Lions’ Bridge in Sofia.

The front of the 50 leva banknote displays
the portrait of one of the greatest Bulgarian poets and
intellectuals - Pencho Slaveykov (1866-1912).

The back of the 50 leva banknote features
some illustrations to his books of poetry.

The front of the 100 leva banknote

The back of the 100 leva banknote

Additional Information

There are several change desks at the Sofia Airport and you
will find numerous legitimate change bureaus in any Bulgarian
town that will not charge a commission. Working hours of the
banks: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, closed on national
holidays. If you bring foreign currency from home into Bulgaria,
be certain it is clean and untorn, and without any damages.
No store, bank or change bureau will accept mutilated, torn
or excessively dirty foreign currency. Currency exchange offices
throughout the city are open until 5 - 6 p.m., some working
24 hours a day.

Bulgarian National Holidays are as follows:

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1

National Day (Liberation from the Turks) is celebrated
on March 3

Easter (not on the same day as in Western Europe –
usually a week later; according to the East Orthodox Calendar)
– usually 3 days in a row

St George’s Day – May 6th

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day is celebrated on May 24 (also
Education and Culture Day, Day of the Slavonic Literacy)

Christmas is observed on December 25

Banks will almost always charge a commission. Be careful
of anyone who approaches you on the street or on public transportation
offering to " change some currency for you ". You
will probably wind up with some useless fake currency at best.
Likewise, never make "a show" out of carrying cash
in public ... - read our "Travel
Tips" section. You could also find useful information
at the Consular
Information Sheet on the web site of the United States
Consulate at http://www.travel.state.gov/bulgaria.html.
Bulgaria is a very safe country to visit; but you must use
common sense and always try to be on the safe side.

Change Bureaus should always give you the exact funds
as you change currency from Dollars to Leva, for example.
There are a couple of important rules:

Examine the currency carefully!

Refuse any bill that is torn, cut, taped, something
written on it, or otherwise mutilated.

Do not allow yourself to become intimidated or rushed

Be careful of the following scenario - you give the attendant
the exact amount you would like to have changed but then
he (or maybe a charming She) wants to give you back a “rounded
sum in BGL”, so “you should give him some leva
more and he would give you exact sum”. Do not buy
that story and never let yourself to get lost in numerous
calculations or explanations. Otherwise you should go out
immediately (hope you haven’t handed your money to
him in advance!) and look for another place.

The "yellow coins" (1, 2 and 5 stotinki) are generally
scorned by the Bulgarian people, and if you are not careful,
at the end of a day shopping, you can find yourself weighted
down by excessive coins. Do not be afraid to use the coins
to pay for an individual coffee, a candy bar or a pack of
chewing gum. Practically every bank in the city has an ATM
machine in the lobby; there is also an ATM machine just inside
the Plovdiv Metro store, as well as many other big supermarkets
and stores. See our Travel
Tips Section for a large section of information on Credit
Cards, ATMs, etc.

Western Union operates in Bulgaria and is a very efficient
way to get cash from your countries. Almost each Bulgarian
bank has either Western Union or MoneyGram representatives.

The currency exchange is unrestricted and there is no compulsory
exchange, as is the case in some other countries. Upon departure
from the country any unused Bulgarian currency may be changed
back into the respective national currency at the border.

Credit cards - American Express, Diners Club, BankAmericard,
Visa, Access, Euro card, MasterCard and Carte Blanche, among
others, are accepted in Bulgaria. Many times (but NOT ALL)
they can be used for the payment of standard services: hotel
accommodation, restaurants, nightspots, shopping, car rentals,
plane tickets, etc. Taxis do not normally accept credit cards.
Detailed information for credit cards could be found on our
Travel Tips page.